Fluid container



Feb. 16, 1943. w, ROSE 2,311,578

FLUID'CONTAINER Filed NOV. 24, 1959 r A J 7 Patented Feb. 16, 1943 FLUID CONTAINER William H. Rose, Jersey City, N. J., assignor to a corporation oi Dela- Stanco Incorporated ware Application November 24, 1939, Serial No. 305,948

Claims.

The present invention relates to a fluid container or reservoir, and more particularly, it relates to a container in which the liquid is held absorbed in a core or packing inserted in the container.

It is an object of the invention to provide a means for carrying or transporting liquids which tend to leak or creep through ordinary removable container closures, especially such materials as oils, ink, and the like, which may cause damage to other materials with which they may come in contact. It is also an object of the invention to provide a reservoir for use in combination with a nebulizer device such as set forth in my application for United States Letters Patent Serial No. 305,949, filed November 24, 1939.

The invention and its objects may be fully understood from the following specification when it is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section of an alternate form of core member; and

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of an alternate arrangement in combination with a nebulizer device.

With reference to the drawing, the numeral I designates a container, preferably cylindrical, having a closure or cap 2. The container is of any suitable material such as glass, metal, or molded plastic or cellulose materials. Within the cylindrical container I, there is longitudinally disposed a core member or packing 3, formed of a resilient, absorbent material such as felt, compacted cotton fibres, cellulosic sponge, or any similar material which is resiliently compressible within the container.

It is desirable that the upper end of the core provide a substantially hard or rigid surface against which pressure may be exerted conveniently. For this purpose, a composition or a metallic cap piece 5 is provided for the core. Alternatively, it is sometimes possible to saturate or coat the upper end portion of the core 3 with a hard-drying substantially insoluble substance.

In Fig, l the core member 3 is an annular or tubular member provided with an annular cap piece 5. In the member shown, a spring member 8 has been incorporated to provide positive structural means for elongating and expanding the core after compression. In the core form shown by this figure, liquid space is provided for in the hollow core itself.

The device as shown in Fig. 2 is particularly suited for use in association with a nebulizer unit, similar to those disclosed in my application previously referred to. As illustrated the combination consists of a container I having an inwardly flanged mouth la. The core I is tubular in form and formed of a number of sections 1a. The central opening in the core is adapted to receive the nebulizer tube 8 in which is disposed an absorbent packing Ba. The flanged bulb 9, containing cellulose or neoprene sponge elements 9a, to increase absorption capacity of the unit, engages the flanged end of the container and is adapted to be retained in substantially fluidtight relation thereto, by means of an annular cap member 50 adapted for threaded engagement with the container. An annular gasket ll of a flexible material may be inserted above the core to assist in retaining the core sections when the nebulizer tube is withdrawn for use. At the bottom of the container, a pad l2 of a preferably non-fibrous material is disposed. The thickness of this pad should be slightly more than the minimum distance between the end of the tube 8 and the container bottom.

In operation, the core member of the container is saturated with the liquid material to be used. With the container closure in place, the container contents may then be carried in any position, without danger of leakage. When it is desired to utilize the liquid contents, it is only necessary to remove the closure and by compression of the core, release such quantities of the liquid as may be required.

For example, when a co tainer of the type described is used to carry a reserve supply of a liquid, for use in conjunction with a dropper or nebulizing device, after removal of the container closure, the nebulizer tube is used to press against the cap member provided on the core, compressing it and squeezing out an amount of liquid sufficient to be drawn into the tube, by compression and release of the bulb to which it is normally attached. Likewise, when it is desired to use the container as a reservoir for ink, a fountain pen may be filled from the container in a similar fashion. In either instance, when the core member is released, the excess expelled liquid is reabsorbed by the core as it expands to its normal uncompressed shape.

In the construction shown according to Fig. 1, the end of the nebulizer tube or the nib of a fountain pen, would extend into the space within the tubular core and be in free contact with the liquid expelled therefrom. This is a particular advantage in connection with nebulizer tubes, as there is no restriction of the tube opening through contact with the surface of the core or cap piece therefor.

In the form of invention shown in Fig. 2, a slightly difierent principle is utilized. Here, the packed nebulizer tube is intended to be carried within the container when not in use, and provision is made for transfer of liquid from the core to an absorbent packing in the nebulizer tube, principally by means of capillary action. With the nebulizer tube and cap in place, a slight compression of the bottom pad I2 occurs, releasing a small amount of liquid. The absorbent packing in the nebulizer tube, having been partially dried by previous use, will absorb the free liquid released by the pad, thereby becoming sufficiently Wetted to provide for an additional application. When the tube is withdrawn for use, the pad I 2, now being dry by comparison to the core member with which it is in contact, will absorb a further quantity of liquid from the core, and be substantially saturated before re-insertion of the nebulizer tube.

Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it should be obvious that various modifications are permissible within the scope of the concept involved, and it is not intended that the invention shall be limited by the disclosures made for the purpose of illustration, but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container for liquids, comprising a cylindrical casing, a tubular core member of a compressible absorbent material disposed Within said casing, the inner Walls of said core, with the bottom of the casing defining a cylindrical receptacle, a disc of an absorbent material in the bottom of the receptacle defined, and a nebulizing dispenser tube insertable in said receptacle, its end in contact with said disc.

2. A container for liquids, comprising a cylindrical casing, a tubular core member of a compressible absorbent, fibrous material disposed within said casing, a pad of a compressible, absorbent, non-fibrous material within the tubular core at the lower end thereof, a nebulizer tube and bulb associated with said container and core, the tube insertable through said tubular core in pressure contact with the non-fibrous pad therein, and a removable annular cap for the container adapted to hold said bulb and the outer end of the container in fluid-tight relation.

3. A container for liquids, comprising a cylindrical casing, an annular core member of an absorbent material disposed within said casing, the inner walls of said core with the bottom of the casing defining a cylindrical receptacle, a disc of a compressible absorbent material in the bottom of the receptacle defined, and a dispenser tube insertable in said receptacle, its end in contact with said disc.

4. A container for liquids, comprising a cylindrical casing, an annular core member of an absorbent fibrous material disposed within said casing, a pad of a compressible absorbent material within the annular core at the lower end thereof, a nebulizer tube and bulb associated with said container and core, the tube insertable through said annular core in pressure contact with the pad therein and a removable annular cap for the container adapted to hold said bulb and the outer end of the container in fluid-tight relation.

5. A container for liquids, comprising a casing having an opening, an annular unit comprising a tubular cylindrical core member of compressible absorbent material extending from adjacent .the opening longitudinally within the casing adapted to contain absorbed liquid and resting upon the bottom of the casing, the unit including an annular surface member for the end of the core member adjacent the casing opening whereby a dispenser tube can be inserted through the annular unit to pick up liquid released from the core member.

WILLIAM H. ROSE. 

